Wii Bowling a Strike With Seniors

Seniors are wholeheartedly embracing Wii Bowling as a fun social activity mercifully devoid of the weight of an actual ball, the Chicago Tribune reports. “Can you think of anything better to do?” says the president of a league at a Chicago-area retirement community. “It's the piece de resistance of retirement.” That league, one of many nationwide, has grown to include 96 players—with a sub list 47 names long.

Senior Wii Bowling leagues sprang up almost immediately after the Nintendo console was released in 2006. Players love the modest exertion and camaraderie. “It gives you a lot of exercise,” says a 72-year-old bowler, who also claims her Wii average of 213 is a full 100 points higher than in an actual alley. Elderly video-game bowlers can also lord their skills over, say, grandchildren. “It just teaches them the pecking order,” a 62-year-old says. (More Nintendo Wii stories.)